Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra passes resolution to suspend Asaduddin Owaisi for welcoming Palestine, seeks future election ban

Mumbai: The Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav, during its worldwide congress, passed a resolution to disqualify Asaduddin Owaisi for speaking in favour of Palestine while taking oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha. The Congress also demanded that Owaisi be permanently barred from contesting elections in India.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and Bhagyanagar-Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has embroiled himself in a controversy after he praised war-torn Palestine while taking oath as a Lok Sabha MP on Tuesday. The five-time MP was criticised for his remarks, particularly by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

While many politicians were demanding Owaisi’s suspension for “testifying his allegiance to a foreign state”, the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav passed a resolution for his suspension at its ongoing World Congress. Hindus attending the 12th edition of the Vaishvik Hindu Rashtra Mahotsav in Goa’s Ponda unanimously condemned his act and passed a resolution demanding his early disqualification.

“Article 102 D of the Indian Constitution states that a person shall be disqualified from membership of either House of Parliament if he shows loyalty to a foreign state. To flaunt loyalty to a foreign state while taking an oath to serve that nation is not only treasonous but also a national insult,” the resolution said.

The resolution was passed on the third day of the week-long world congress, which is expected to be attended by over 2,000 delegates from across the country. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, which organised the congress, will submit the resolution to the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs for consideration as it expects disciplinary action against Owaisi.

The Hindus gathered at the meeting enthusiastically chanted “Har Har Mahadev” in support of the resolution and also demanded that Owaisi be permanently barred from contesting Indian elections. “If strict action is not taken against such anti-national figures, a wrong precedent will be set and this could lead to slogans like ‘Jai Hamas’ or ‘Jai Pakistan’ being shouted in Parliament in future,” a spokesman said.

While the assembly rejected Owaisi’s act, it also praised BJP MP from Bareily Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar for chanting “Jai Hindu Rashtra” and “Jai Bharat” at his inauguration during the same session. Ramesh Shinde, national spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said, “We welcome this positive step by the honourable MP.”

Published on: Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 22:46 IST